# 20 — Tetzaveh
Exodus 27:20-30:10
Overview
In Parshat Tetzaveh, “you will command,” G-d tells Moses to command the Israelites to bring pure oil to keep the lamp in the tabernacle burning all the time. This lamp has to be tended by Aaron and his sons who will serve as priests (Exodus 27:20-28:1).
Detailed instructions are given for the special holy garments to be made for Aaron as high priest (Exodus 28:2-39). Instructions for the garments of the normal priests are added (Exodus 28:40-43).
Aaron and his sons have to be consecrated as priests by anointing and sacrifices (Exodus 29:1-35). Along with the priests during their seven days of ordination, the bronze altar in front of the tent of meeting has to be made “most holy” by seven days of atoning sin offerings and by anointing the altar. Then G-d gives the instruction to bring lambs as continual burnt offerings on that altar (Exodus 29:35-42).
About this tabernacle as this place of atonement the L-RD says:
There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by My glory.
I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar.
Aaron and also his sons I will consecrate to serve Me as priests.
I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their G-d.
And they shall know that I am the L-RD their G-d,
who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them.
I am the LORD their G-d (Exodus 29:43-45).
Finally the parsha also gives instructions for the altar of incense on which the blood of atonement has to be put once a year (Exodus 30:1-10).
Represented by a Glorious Priest
How can we be accepted before G-d?
How can a Holy G-d look favorably on us? Can we come directly to G-d or do we need a mediator? What does the Torah teach us?
The First Anointed One
In the Tanakh, to be anointed means to be designated for a very special role. But who is the first person in the Tanakh who is anointed?
It is Aaron, who has to be consecrated as high priest in the sanctuary which the L-RD wants Israel to make (Exodus 29:7).
The L-RD wants to dwell among His people. As we saw in our previous parsha, He wants to dwell in a sanctuary at the place of atonement. But in this sanctuary a special mediator is needed to bring about this atonement. Here is how he is described later in the book of Leviticus: The priest who is chief among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured and who has been consecrated to wear the garment” (Leviticus 21:10).
The special role of Aaron is depicted in this garment. Aaron’s special role gives us a clear message: we need a mediator.
Holy Garments for Glory and Beauty
Parshat Tetzaveh describes in detail Aaron’s holy garments. They are made of the exact same materials as the inside of the tabernacle. “Gold and blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen” (Exodus 28:5). Aaron is clothed with the same “glory and beauty” (Exodus 28:2).
Aaron clearly represents G-d to the people. But that’s not all.
Representing the People before God
On Aaron’s shoulders are placed two beautiful onyx stones with the name of the twelve tribes engraved on them, six on each (Exodus 28:9-12).
Aaron’s holy garments also have a special breastpiece. It has four rows of precious stones set in gold, twelve total, each inscribed with a name of one of the tribes (Exodus 28:17-21).
Aaron clearly also represents the people before G-d.
To Bring into Remembrance
For both the onyx stones and the other precious stone the purpose is explicitly expressed: to bring the sons of Israel “in remembrance before G-d.” This means asking G-d to be mindful of His people in a favorable way; i.e., to be gracious to them.
To Bear any Guilt
Aaron’s holy garments are completed with a turban with a pure gold plate [1]. It has an engraving which sums up Aaron’s special position in these special clothes: he is “holy to the L-RD.”
And then our text says: Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts (Exodus 28:38).
The holy gifts of Israel are the sacrifices they bring. But as they come from sinful people, they must be sanctified by this priest completely dedicated to G-d. His holiness has to cover Israel’s blemishes before G-d so the sacrifices of the Israelites “may be accepted before the L-RD.”
In this way Israel’s sacrifices are accepted. And then, Aaron can also be a representative of G-d to the people and bless them (see Leviticus 9:22; Numbers 6:22-27).
The L-RD gave Israel a glorious priest as mediator!
The Ultimate Anointed One
Aaron is the first “anointed one” in the Tanakh and was a special mediator for Israel. But the ultimate anointed one, the Messiah, is an even more special mediator. Like Aaron He approaches G-d on our behalf. And through Him we can be fully accepted before G-d forever.
Here is how the prophet Jeremiah prophesies about him:
“Their (Israel’s) prince shall be one of themselves,
their ruler shall come out from their midst;
I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me,
for who is this who would pledge his heart to approach me?”
declares the L-RD (Jeremiah 30:21).
His representation, approaching G-d on our behalf, and His intercession for us has an utmost effectiveness. He initiates a complete renewal of the broken covenant between G-d and Israel (Jeremiah 30:22, 31:31-34)!
The prophet Zechariah describes this amazing Mediator as both king and priest – something no Aaronic priest could be. In fact, this One will be priest on the throne of the L-RD! Together with the L-RD He plans peace (Zechariah 6:13 NKJV).
In Psalm 110 the L-RD Himself says to this One “Sit at my right hand” and “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” [2]
The Best Representative
The prophet Isaiah describes what this Messiah will do before He will be in this exalted position of perfect eternal priest. Whereas Aaron approached God with the blood of sacrificial animals, Messiah will approach G-d with the sacrifice of His own sinless life given as a guilt offering. In this way He will intercede for the transgressors (Isaiah 52:13-53:12).
We believe this Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth, who died, rose again the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of G-d. Here is how the New Covenant scriptures describe Him as our ultimate high priest:
He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest,
holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners,
and exalted above the heavens.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily,
first for His own sins and then for those of the people,
since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself (Hebrews 7:24-27).
If this glorious priest represents us we surely will be fully accepted before the L-RD forever.
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[1] Possibly in the form of a flower; the Hebrew word translated “golden plate” usually means “flower.”
[2] Just like the Messiah, Melchizedek King of Salem was both king and priest.